By Kwedu News
Zimbabwe – The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has finally responded to demands by human rights defenders to investigate Innscor Africa Limited and others for allegedly supplying Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and cancer-causing chemicals in its food products without adequately informing consumers.
The rights defenders have joined a raging war between Innscor Africa and outspoken activist Rutendo Matinyarare, who first exposed the alleged food contaminants in the company’s fast foods, before being dragged to South African courts.
He also later said tests of the company’s mealie meal products and a few others revealed the presence of banned GMOs and Glyphosate, a cancer-causing herbicide, as they allegedly smuggle the grain from South Africa.
Other brands caught up in the alleged scandal are Blue Ribbon and Stirpole.
The controversy has sparked heated debate, with activists and experts weighing in on the potential health risks and implications for consumer rights.
At the center of the dispute, Matinyarare, who is also a Pan-Africanist, accused Innscor of serving food with cancer-causing GMOs, claims which led to a legal battle that Innscor won, but the court’s decision has been criticized for ignoring the core allegations.
Abigale Mupambi, a human rights activist, has joined the fight, urging the CCZ to intervene and protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
In a letter to the CCZ, Mupambi expressed concerns that Innscor’s products might contain carcinogens, contributing to the rising cancer cases in Zimbabwe.
After a long silence since Matinyarare’s first allegations, the CCZ acknowledged receipt of Mupambi’s complaint and promised to investigate the allegations.
In the response, CCZ Executive Director Rosemary Mpofu stated that the council has engaged authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and partnered with stakeholders to conduct independent lab tests on the products in question.
Meanwhile, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has invited Matinyarare to present his report on the alleged cancer-causing agents in the grain processing sector.
GMAZ Secretary, Moses Maunganidze, emphasized the importance of empirical scientific evidence in addressing the claims.
Innscor has yet to comment on the latest developments, but some analysts say the company’s actions have raised suspicions.
As the CCZ broke the silence, Matinyarare alleged that Innscor cleared out much of its stock from several shops over the weekend.
One Max Mkandla, Vice President of the International Coalition Against Covid-19 and African Development Zimbabwe, warned that GMOs flooding African countries might be a long-term indirect depopulation strategy by some western nations.
In the same statement, CCZ reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring they receive a fair deal on the marketplace.
The council said the Consumer Protection Act Chapter 14:44 stipulates that suppliers must conform to mandatory safety and quality standards, and consumers have the right to receive goods or services that are safe and free from defects and hazards.
